In Chinese, 'pao' means 'to throw' and 'xiuqiu' means 'a silk ball'. Pao Xiuqiu is a traditional activity in festivals marking the blooming season or harvest time.

The silk balls are sewn by young girls and may be shaped like a crescent, a fish or a duck or the usual round, square or octagon.

Each silk ball generally has a diameter of 6 cm (2.36 inches) with grains or sand inside. Each ball usually weighs about 0.22 - 0.33 pound or 2 - 3 liangs in Chinese unit.

On the outside, the balls usually have flowery patterns with a colored cord on the top and fringes on the bottom. These fine 'xiu qiu' symbolize the beauty and wisdom of the girls.

There are various ways of playing this game. One way is for two teams, usually boys versus girls, to toss the silk balls at each other hoping that the opposing team would drop the ball. If the ball is dropped, the losing side will be required to sing or perform in other ways as a forfeit.

In another version, a 10-meter-high (32.8-foot-high) pole is erected with a board at the top, through which a hole with a diameter of 60 centimeters (23.6 inches) is cut. Two teams of boys and girls stand beside the pole facing one another and throw the silk balls through the hole. The team which threw more balls through the hole wins.